A multifaceted inspirational figure, Bharat Ratna Maulana Abul Kalam Azad tirelessly championed for the cause of education. He strove to ensure that education was not the privilege of only the elite, but that it reached the common man as well. It is only befitting that in remembrance of his remarkable contributions, IIT Bombay observed National Education Day on November 11, 2008 to commemorate his birth anniversary.

The highlight of the occasion was the Open House Discussion on " Review and Enhancement of PhD programme in IIT Bombay ", which analysed the present state of research in the campus among the student community. Measures were suggested to improve the quality of life of a research scholar on campus and to ensure a more productive research output.

An Essay Competition was inaugurated, the details of which are as given below:

An original essay in any one of the following two themes. These are just the themes and not necessarily the titles.

  
1. Doctoral studies and doctoral qualifications - their place in the growth of the country.
  
2. How my days in IIT Bombay have helped me develop as a person.

       Who can participate?  :  Any Student of IIT Bombay & Alumni

       Word Limit                  : 1500

       Submission format        : word document (.doc file)

       Last date for submission  : December 1, 2008, 5:00pm

       How to submit?

            Mail to gsecaa@iitb.ac.in with Subject as:

            " National Education Day (Essay) - Theme 1 (or Theme 2) " as appropriate.

          Attachment: doc file

          Prizes for best essays: Overall cash prize amount of Rs. 25,000/- to be suitably awarded amongst the best entries.          The essays shall be evaluated by a panel of judges and the results are expected to be communicated by December 10, 2008.